A wise, intelligent, and no-nonsense personality, Pa Benson is a man whose depth of knowledge of music—particularly Highlife and Jazz—is virtually unmatched. He is a gifted writer, a consummate wordsmith, and one of Africa’s foremost authorities on the history, evolution, and cultural significance of these genres. His understanding of music and its impact on society places him in a class of his own
THERE are men who merely witness history, and there are those who help shape, document, and interpret it for generations to come. Pa Benson Idonijie belongs firmly to the latter category.
A wise, intelligent, and no-nonsense personality, Pa Benson is a man whose depth of knowledge of music — particularly Highlife and Jazz — is virtually unmatched. He is a gifted writer, a consummate wordsmith, and one of Africa’s foremost authorities on the history, evolution, and cultural significance of these genres. His understanding of music and its impact on society places him in a class of his own.
His vast industry knowledge and decades of experience have made him a trusted authority for anyone seeking informed perspectives on the music business. I vividly recall meeting him sometime in the early 1990s at the office of my friend, Jahman Anikulapo, then of The Guardian newspapers. At the time, we were discussing the phenomenal rise of the Congolese music sensation, Awilo Longomba, whose music was dominating airwaves and dance floors across Africa, including Nigeria.
As I listened to the conversation, it became clear that I was sitting in the presence of an extraordinary reservoir of knowledge. Driven by curiosity and concern, I asked him a question that had been troubling me:
“Uncle, with Awilo’s music taking over everywhere, even in Nigeria, what is the future of Nigerian music?”
He looked at me calmly and replied with remarkable certainty:
“It will go the same way it came.”
Those simple words proved prophetic.
A few years later, events unfolded exactly as he had predicted. The trend faded, and Nigerian music reclaimed its place, eventually evolving into the global force it is today. That moment revealed to me the depth of his understanding of music trends, audience behavior, and the dynamics of the industry.
It is therefore no surprise that his wisdom, guidance, and influence have helped shape the career of his grandson, the globally acclaimed Burna Boy, whose success continues to elevate African music on the world stage.
Beyond being a music historian and industry analyst, Pa Benson is also a music scholar. Through his celebrated Friday column in The Guardian, I came to appreciate the depth of his musical intellect. Curious about the source of such profound knowledge, I once asked whether he had formally studied music.
His answer was in the affirmative.
He explained that he completed the prestigious London-based graded music programme to its highest level, a qualification that would be comparable to a university degree in music today. That revelation helped me understand why his writings and analyses possess such uncommon depth, accuracy, and authority.
Indeed, much of what I know today about Highlife music is courtesy of Pa Benson Idonijie and, later, Chief Femi Esho. Their dedication to preserving, documenting, and promoting our musical heritage has been invaluable. Through their work, generations of Nigerians and Africans have gained a deeper appreciation of the rich traditions that shaped our contemporary music landscape.
I consider myself fortunate to have had the rare privilege of knowing Pa Benson, learning from him, and benefiting from his wisdom over the years. More importantly, I am proud to call myself one of his mentees.
As he celebrates his 90th birthday, we honour not only a remarkable man but also a living institution—a custodian of history, a guardian of culture, a scholar of immense stature, and one of the most respected voices in African music.
Happy 90th Birthday, Pa Benson Idonijie.
May your wisdom continue to inspire generations, and may your legacy endure for many years to come.
- Osezua Stephen-Imobhio, singer, filmmaker, is nHighlife Masters Voice
